UK human rights convention exit ‘would be disastrous’

Report of comments by the President of the European Court of Human Rights, Judge Dean Spielmann, broadcast in a BBC radio programme on the 4 June 2013. He said that it would be a 'political disaster' if the UK pulled out of the European Convention of Huamn Rights.

He also said leaving the Convention would also mean leaving the 47-member Council of Europe and possibly the EU. He warned this could undermine the UK's credibility in promoting human rights around the world.

UK Home Secretary Theresa May has said the UK should consider its relationship with the human rights convention.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Clarke hails ECHR reform but critics unconvinced http://www.europeansources.info/record/clarke-hails-echr-reform-but-critics-unconvinced/

ESO: Background information: Prisoners' voting rights http://www.europeansources.info/record/prisoners-voting-rights/

ESO: Background information: Is adherence to the European Convention on Human Rights a condition of European Union membership? http://www.europeansources.info/record/is-adherence-to-the-european-convention-on-human-rights-a-condition-of-european-union-membership/

Blog: OUP Blog, 08.12.13: Human Rights protection at the European Court http://blog.oup.com/2013/12/human-rights-protection-european-court-pil/

BBC News, 14.01.14: Spielmann: UK leaving ECHR would be a 'political disaster' http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-25729321

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